IBM filed another 8,000 patents in 2016

Hear that? That's the sound of IP lawyers rubbing their hands with glee

IBM’s lawyers were busy little bees last year, getting a shade more than 8,000 patent applications granted for Big Blue’s American brainboxes.

IBM claims its inventors were granted an average of 22 patents per day in 2016, scoring a total of 8,088 patents.

Of those patents, 2,700 were related to AI, cognitive computing and cloud computing.

“We are deeply proud of our inventors’ unique contributions to discovery, science and technology that are driving progress across business and society and opening the new era of cognitive business,” said chief exec Ginny Rometty in a canned quote.

Intriguingly, Microsoft has risen from 10th place to 8th place in the list of top 10 patent applications – possibly heralding a slow return to the third place position it held in 2009. Intel has risen from ninth place last year to sixth this year, filing 2,700 patents over the last 12 months.

“While patents aren't the only barometer of innovation, they are an essential foundation for where and how a company like IBM will innovate and pave the way for breakthroughs, growth and leadership in these markets,” said an IBM canned statement. Not to mention the ability to start endless years of patent lawsuits, diverting millions of pounds into the pockets of law firms. ®